If you’re questioning whether your Delray Beach home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a specialist like Kilbourne Heating & AC about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by common household things.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Building materials
  • Cleaning products
  • Cosmetics
  • Air fresheners
  • Candles

When these fumes accumulate inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help odors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better solution.

This unit hooks to your comfort equipment to provide strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time because your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which type is ideal for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC system.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in big levels.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working smoothly. This service allows our specialists to find problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on every floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Kilbourne Heating & AC Experts

Aware that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 561-287-7071 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the best equipment for your family and budget.